True Stories of Purgatory

In the History of the Franciscan Order, there is special mention of a certain monk named Br. Corrado d’Offida, who was one of St. Francis’ first followers. He practiced many virtues, and possesed such a spirit of prayer and charity that he greatly helped the rest of his monks grow in holiness.

Unfortunately, there was one young monk at the monastery who was paticularly not very good. He was very lazy about following the rules and his unruly attitude often caused trouble inside the monastery. So Br. Corrado gently but firmly corrected the monk, telling him that he needed to improve. Moreover, Br. Corrado prayed very hard for the poor brother, asking God to give the young Franciscan the grace to change.

His prayers and charitable reprimands soon caused a change in the young monk. He began to reform, and became so good that he soon was a model and an inspiration to all the other monks in the community. Soon after this change for the better, though, the young monk passed away, and the members of the monastery offered the usual prayers and sacrifices for a deceased Franciscan.

A few days passed. Then, while Br. Corrado was praying at the altar, he heard something. Someone was calling to him! The mysterious voice was asking for his prayers!

Being somewhat alarmed, Br. Corrado asked, “Who are you?”

“I am,” answered the voice, “the soul of the young monk whom you reanimated to fervor.”

Br. Corrado was surprised. “But did you not die a holy death? Are you still in so great need of prayers?”

“I died a good death,” explained the deceased Franciscan, “and am saved, but on account of my former sins, which I had not the time to expiate, I suffer the most terrible chastisement. I beg you not to refuse me the assistance of your prayers.”

At once, Br. Corrado bowed before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and began to pray for the suffering soul. He prayed an Our Father and then the “Eternal Rest” prayer. The dead brother seemed very grateful for this; he cried out his thanks, and begged for more.

“Oh, my good Father,” he told Br. Corrado, “what refreshment your prayer obtains for me! Oh, how it relieves me! I beg you to continue.”

With patience, Br. Corrado devoutly prayed them again.

“Beloved Father,” again repeated the young monk, “still more! still more! I experience such great relief when you pray.”

Wanting to do anything he could to help, Br. Corrado kept praying with greater fervency. He prayed the Our Father one hundred more times for the monk! At last, the dead brother exclaimed to his benefactor - in a tone of utter happiness, “Thank you, my dear Father, in the name of God! I am delivered! Behold, I am about to enter the Kingdom of Heaven!”


	Your Prayers are Helping Me!
	In the History of the Franciscan Order, there is special mention of a certain monk named Br. Corrado d’Offida, who was one of St. Francis’ first followers. He practiced many virtues, and possesed such a spirit of prayer and charity that he greatly helped the rest of his monks grow in holiness. Unfortunately, there was one young monk at the monastery who was paticularly not very good. He was very lazy about following the rules and his unruly attitude often caused trouble inside the monastery. So Br. Corrado gently but firmly corrected the monk, telling him that he needed to improve. Moreover, Br. Corrado prayed very hard for the poor brother, asking God to give the young Franciscan the grace to change. His prayers and charitable reprimands soon caused a change in the young monk. He began to reform, and became so good that he soon was a model and an inspiration to all the other monks in the community. Soon after this change for the better, though, the young monk passed away, and the members of the monastery offered the usual prayers and sacrifices for a deceased Franciscan. A few days passed. Then, while Br. Corrado was praying at the altar, he heard something. Someone was calling to him! The mysterious voice was asking for his prayers! Being somewhat alarmed, Br. Corrado asked, “Who are you?” “I am,” answered the voice, “the soul of the young monk whom you reanimated to fervor.” Br. Corrado was surprised. “But did you not die a holy death? Are you still in so great need of prayers?” “I died a good death,” explained the deceased Franciscan, “and am saved, but on account of my former sins, which I had not the time to expiate, I suffer the most terrible chastisement. I beg you not to refuse me the assistance of your prayers.” At once, Br. Corrado bowed before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and began to pray for the suffering soul. He prayed an Our Father and then the “Eternal Rest” prayer. The dead brother seemed very grateful for this; he cried out his thanks, and begged for more. “Oh, my good Father,” he told Br. Corrado, “what refreshment your prayer obtains for me! Oh, how it relieves me! I beg you to continue.” With patience, Br. Corrado devoutly prayed them again. “Beloved Father,” again repeated the young monk, “still more! still more! I experience such great relief when you pray.” Wanting to do anything he could to help, Br. Corrado kept praying with greater fervency. He prayed the Our Father one hundred more times for the monk! At last, the dead brother exclaimed to his benefactor - in a tone of utter happiness, “Thank you, my dear Father, in the name of God! I am delivered! Behold, I am about to enter the Kingdom of Heaven!”